Trail Overview

This is a short trail that hangs off of Soldiers Pass but is no less difficult. This trail is filled with narrow sections and slickrock, making it an even more challenging trail more so in the snow or rain. To view the Devil's Sinkhole, you can either hike up to it or risk rolling by traversing the 7-foot fall made of slickrock. Pictures include do not do it justice. Just be prepared and pick the correct lines or you will find yourself on your lid. You will need to get a permit from Recreation.gov, this permit will have the gate codes on it. After entering the gate of Soldiers Pass you make a sharp right turn to the start of Tea Cup.

Photos of Tea Cup

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Difficulty

The entrance is made for high-clearance vehicles, stock Jeeps would rub. Adding the slickrock will make for an interesting hard right turn. Narrow sections that have larger trees on one side and a shear cliff on the other. One wrong move and you will find yourself at the bottom. Once you pass the entrance and narrow sections you find yourself challenged with a 30% incline waterfall waiting for you to pick the wrong line and roll.

Technical Rating

Eric Leclercq

Mar 24, 2026

Open

I think this is where Soldier Pass gets its 7 rating although I would agree with some other reviews that say a 5 is more accurate. All dependable on skill level and vehicle. Stay heads up on vehicles coming down or it’ll get dicey.

Andrew Drake

Sep 26, 2025

Open

No idea why this is rated a 7. I’d say it’s a 4, maybe a 5 at most. If you can do Broken Arrow, you can do this off shoot too. Definitely worth it to go down if you’re on Soldiers Pass, cool to see the sinkhole and not significantly more difficult than the rest of the trail, just a little more technical. Couple of Jeep tours when we went but not too crowded.

Lance Hackett

Apr 21, 2025

Open

Stock Rubicon rental was behind us and had no issues with trail.

Jordan Underly

Mar 24, 2025

Open

The trail is open off of soldier pass. You need to get a $6 permit from recreation.gov and you get the code to the gate of the trail parking lot. The trail is well marked and the main obstacle of the tea cup is a short, steep climb. A decently high clearance vehicle should be able to make the climb! There’s quite a bit of foot traffic and bike riders along these trails so just take it slow and enjoy the views.

George Cashman

May 02, 2024

Open

Side trail from Soldier Pass the leads to a giant sink hole. When arriving at the sink hold turn right, go another 250' climbing ledge on the left. This is the best parking, over view of area and sign.